WILMINGTON, N.C. — An 18-year-old Wilmington man has pleaded guilty to the murder of his teenage girlfriend, according to court records and the District Attorney’s Office.
Jordan James entered a guilty plea on Tuesday, Dec. 10, in connection with the death of 17-year-old Makala Gibbs, who was found dead on Aug. 31, 2023, in the 500 block of Meares Street. James was 16 years old at the time of the incident.
Court documents state that James and Gibbs were dating at the time of the shooting and had been in a relationship in the days leading up to her death. Investigators said James’s sister reported hearing a gunshot but no argument beforehand.
Authorities said witnesses and digital evidence showed James pointing a loaded firearm at other juveniles prior to the shooting. Prosecutors also noted that James and Gibbs shared a child and that Gibbs had been living at James’s family home.
According to prosecutors, James provided two different accounts to police about what happened. Investigators said evidence later contradicted those statements. Surveillance footage reportedly showed James attempting to dispose of a firearm and discarding his phone. The weapon was later recovered from a neighboring yard.
Prosecutors said the firearm had been purchased by an adult at a pawn shop, with video footage placing James at the shop during the transaction.
Because James was a minor at the time of the crime, the case initially began in juvenile court. However, due to the severity of the charge, it was transferred to Superior Court.
James was sentenced to up to 13.5 years in prison for second-degree murder. Prosecutors said he had no prior adult criminal history and received a sentence within the presumptive range.
In a statement, District Attorney Jason W. Smith emphasized the dangers of juveniles having access to firearms and said serious consequences can follow, regardless of age.
